Dining and Food

By Bazaar Staff 01/11/2014

THE GREAT SUSHI HUNT

Where you can find creative versions the Japanese dish in Kuwait

Updated June 11 2018

The tradition of sushi began more than eight centuries ago in a form most of us would balk at eating today. In an attempt to preserve the freshness of fish, the Japanese would cure it and wrap it in rice. It took a couple of centuries before the rice was elevated to an edible part of the meal in the 1300s.

Today, sushi has become an international phenomenon with only two requirements: that it has rice and the ingredients are rolled up into that rice. The cuisine has given chefs the opportunity to explore the combination of different flavors, and around the world they are making the native Japanese dish their own – Kuwait is no different. This hunt did more than just explore the greatest rolls in Kuwait, it showed us just how creative we can get here, and how delicious the results can be.

EDO

With its unique setting at the Sahara Resort, and a classic décor that embodies their zen philosophy, you will only get the best at Edo. We tried their Kyoto roll for the hunt, and it had a special surprise. Made with shrimp, tuna and crab, it’s a seafood delight. The thin slice of avocado wrapped around the delicious rice delivers the perfect balance. Then, the surprise kick: fresh mint leaves give it a refreshing finish.

A brand well known in Japan, you can expect nothing less than an authentic experience when eating at Genki Sushi. The Far Eastern concept has made its way to Kuwait with a refreshing roll. Think seafood salad with a sushi taste. Shrimp tempura, crabsticks, salmon, carrot, lollo roso lettuce and flying fish roe topped with a delicious special sauce, takes the idea of a fresh roll to a whole new level.

Dining at Kei is a trip back to the traditional, with dishes reminiscent of original Japanese culture, and hospitality that brings out the soul of the country’s culinary delights. We went for their house roll, the Kei Special Maki, and it was everything a roll should be. The tempura shrimp, iceberg lettuce, avocado and cucumber topped with salmon, finished with a delicious plum sauce and a sprinkle of sesame seeds, was what sushi nights are all about: fresh ingredients and delicious combinations.

As a pioneer in Kuwait’s sushi scene, Maki has taken our expectations of imaginative rolls to a whole new level. Their house-made extra virgin olive oil put them on the map, so it’s only fitting we try the Caviaroli roll. Made with prawn tempura, wild thyme and spices, wrapped in spinach and topped with olive oil caviar (encapsulated spheres of extra virgin olive oil), it’s a whole new sushi experience.

Although new to the dining scene, Ora has made its mark with Chef Tiger’s delicious combinations. With ingredients that are always fresh, thanks to their unique refrigeration system, each roll is a party for your taste buds. We tried the Ora Crispy roll, filled with tuna, salmon, avocado and cream cheese and wrapped in cucumber. The piece de resistance? Ponzu aioli and a dab of spicy tomato chili that gives this delicious roll a brand new sushi kick.

At Sakura, sushi is an art form that should be taken to bold new heights. We decided to take on a roll so unique to Sakura, we’d be hard pressed to find it anywhere else in the world. The Caramel Maki has, you guessed it, caramel sauce. Don’t dismiss it so quickly. The sweet sauce is the perfect addition to the crab, shrimp tempura and crispy crab topping.

Tatami’s menu fixates on delivering healthier, organic elements that are prepared from scratch. Be prepared for contemporary twists on traditional and classical Japanese recipes. We tried the ever-so-popular Crispy Almond roll. The combination of toasted almonds and a spicy honey sauce, is yet another imaginative twist on the traditional roasted eel and shrimp sushi roll.

This delightfully popular restaurant is an original concept diner with chic décor, accented with modern Japanese art. Here we got a special treat with an ingredient that is becoming quite popular in Kuwait’s sushi scene, mango. The Red Lobster roll is the perfect blend of breaded lobster, cucumber, and avocado rolled in nori (seaweed) and topped with a slice of mango and red capsicum. The spicy mango sauce gives it the perfect kick.